Artist Bio
J. White Burton, a self-taught artist, is best known for her faceless family series that deconstructs the African American experience into a universal and spiritual theme allowing the viewer to unpack stored images memories, and feelings. Born in Mobile, Alabama, she was fascinated as a child by the bright bold colors on display during Mardi Gras and grateful for the neighborhood village that shaped her respect for family, for elders, and authentic people, all of which are reflected in her works. Burton was also greatly influenced by local artist Alexander Moore as a child. His attention to detail captivated her and gave a spiritual command to give attention to the details in every painting, She likes to work in series be they specific colors like her “Women in Redd” and Blue Angels” or black and white like her “Legends” or “Authentic Heroes” series. Her work is simplistic and honest and tends to strike an emotional chord with family, community, belonging, and the human condition. She pushes to keep the value of mankind alive. Burton works primarily in acrylics on canvas and India Ink on paper. Since 2007 she has been a member of and exhibited with Women Painters West, the oldest women’s painting group on the West Coast. She has also exhibited in various galleries across the U.S., done numerous commissions, and has won awards for her paintings.